PUTRAJAYA: Sungai Buloh MP Datuk Seri R. Ramanan has reaffirmed his commitment to redirect his salary and allowances as an elected representative to community welfare initiatives, a promise he made during Malaysia’s 15th General Election (GE15).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ramanan, who gained attention after defeating former Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin in the Sungai Buloh parliamentary race, insists that his pledge is genuine and not a publicity ploy. Since assuming office, Ramanan, who serves as the Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development, has allocated over RM550,000 of his salary and allowances towards community benefits. His contributions have supported more than 100 houses of worship and provided direct aid to the B40 group within his constituency.
Ramanan has stated, ‘I firmly believe that a promise made is a promise kept. Throughout my term, I will continue this practice, and if re-elected in the next GE, I intend to uphold this commitment, even though I’ve been criti
cised by some MPs for doing so.”
Beyond financial aid, Ramanan is also implementing programs to improve constituents’ lives, such as the MADANI Sales programme, which offers essential goods at a 50 percent discount, and the Back-to-School programme, which supplies necessary items to underprivileged students. He emphasized the success of the MADANI Sale, citing consistent sell-outs and strong community response.
Ramanan shared his admiration for the late Tun Dr S. Samy Vellu, a respected leader within the Indian community, and expressed his desire to emulate his leadership style. He also praised Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s quiet yet effective leadership, which prioritizes results over rhetoric.
Additionally, Ramanan, who is also PKR’s deputy information chief, hinted at pursuing a top role within the party in upcoming elections, though he remains reticent about the specifics. He emphasized the importance of aligning with the party president’s strategies to enhance PKR’s impact, particularly fo
r the Indian community, which is represented by 31 division chiefs within the party.